Doses of Nearby Nature Simultaneously Associated with Multiple Health Benefits

Daniel T. C. Cox, Danielle F. Shanahan, Hannah L. Hudson, Richard A. Fuller, Karen Anderson, Steven Hancock and Kevin J. Gaston
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Daniel T. C. Cox: Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK
Danielle F. Shanahan: Zealandia, 31 Waiapu Road, Karori, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
Hannah L. Hudson: Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK
Richard A. Fuller: School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane 4072, Australia
Karen Anderson: Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK
Steven Hancock: Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK
Kevin J. Gaston: Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-13

Abstract: Exposure to nature provides a wide range of health benefits. A significant proportion of these are delivered close to home, because this offers an immediate and easily accessible opportunity for people to experience nature. However, there is limited information to guide recommendations on its management and appropriate use. We apply a nature dose-response framework to quantify the simultaneous association between exposure to nearby nature and multiple health benefits. We surveyed ca. 1000 respondents in Southern England, UK, to determine relationships between (a) nature dose type, that is the frequency and duration (time spent in private green space) and intensity (quantity of neighbourhood vegetation cover) of nature exposure and (b) health outcomes, including mental, physical and social health, physical behaviour and nature orientation. We then modelled dose-response relationships between dose type and self-reported depression. We demonstrate positive relationships between nature dose and mental and social health, increased physical activity and nature orientation. Dose-response analysis showed that lower levels of depression were associated with minimum thresholds of weekly nature dose. Nearby nature is associated with quantifiable health benefits, with potential for lowering the human and financial costs of ill health. Dose-response analysis has the potential to guide minimum and optimum recommendations on the management and use of nearby nature for preventative healthcare.

Keywords: depression; dose-response; exposure to nature; extinction of experience; nature dose; nature relatedness; physical behaviour; risk factors; social cohesion; self-assessment of health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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